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Roy Hibbert Discussion 2015-16: No Buyout

Discussion in 'NBA Discussion' started by LALakersFan4Life, Jul 4, 2015.

  1. Chillbongo

    Chillbongo - Lakers 6th Man -

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    That plays a big role. But I also think there are other factors in why he isn't considered the greatest:

    1) His personality. Never one to embrace the media. They are the ones that unfortunately drive the rhetoric for GOAT discussions. Quiet, cerebral, irritated, less engaging. The complete opposite of Michael and Magic. I actually think Kobe (post rape trial) is more Kareem than Magic or Michael, in terms of their personalities.

    2) Nowadays it's all about flashiness. Kareem, for lack of better words, had a grounded, methodical, intellectual game. He used skill and smarts more than athleticism. That doesn't do it in the SportsCenter, YouTube, and Twitter age. Similar to Duncan, who probably isn't considered as high in the GOAT discussion as he should be.

    Also playing with Magic who was pass-first, more flashy and had the golden boy personality didn't do him any favors. I think I have Kareem at #2 on my GOAT list. I'm not saying any of the reasons I listed are fair or even criteria, but they damn well play a role in this because it's such a media driven rhetoric.
     
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  2. ShowTime_IR

    ShowTime_IR - Rookie -

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    I think it's stupid to compare a SG and a center. Each is the best ever in their positions. You will start building a championship team either picking Jordan or Kareem as the leading player.
     
  3. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers Legend -

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    Let's have them play one on one in their prime. Let's see who is GOAT:giggle:
     
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  4. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Abdul-Jabbar won six MVPs when he had an adversarial relationship with the press. Most agree with the 24 sentiment in point #1. Abdul-Jabbar was also jobbed of the Finals MVP in 1980 when Johnson had that performance for the ages in Game 6. Point #2? The skyhook isn't sexy like 33 once said...nuff said. Still lethal in this fan's eyes.

    One point I have to make is that when the rules are changed to stop you, you are "dominant"... Things like widening the key [Chamberlain], outlawing the dunk. If the rules are revised [cough, "hand checking", cough] to eliminate the J*****n Rules then what does that say?

    On topic...I'm looking forward to seeing Hibbert in action. Smothered chickens to be served.
     
  5. bonk

    bonk - Rookie -

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    Only us old guys know what happened in Game 5 of that series. For those who don't know. Let's just say it was a lot more of a gutty performance than Jordan being "sick" in a finals game. Kareem was the MVP of that series just as Wilkes play in the 4th quarter of game 6 was the difference. A guard playing center (on the score card only) was the story the press went with. A fantastic performance by a rookie no doubt but it's gotten a little out of proportion since IMHO.
     
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  6. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep, that was a badly sprained ankle when stepped on Hollins' foot. Abdul-Jabbar wore low tops then. I remember as a kid seeing him being carried off by Curran and another staffer to the locker room. He came back to play, jousting with Chocolate Thunder and saying his ankle felt like "m-effin' electrical firestorm" while he moved around. I think how he handled it is similar to Thomas' ordeal in Game 6 of the 1989 Finals. Hell, West was reported to have played with a torn hamstring in the same stage.

    I think it's great that Hibbert and Abdul-Jabbar have some contact. When things get funky, at least Hibbert will have a good sounding board to speak to.
     
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  7. Chillbongo

    Chillbongo - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Correct me if I am wrong, but the players used to vote on MVP back in the day, correct? And Kareem may have won a chunk of those MVP's that the players voted in?
     
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  8. Chillbongo

    Chillbongo - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Years Kareem won:
    He actually won no MVP awards from the press. Players know their stuff. Hibbert should definitely call up this guy.
     
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  9. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    ^You are... Thank goodness for wiki. The reason I thought of it was Charley Rosen had made an offhand comment of how the media grew tired of giving Abdul-Jabbar MVPs.
     
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  10. Chillbongo

    Chillbongo - Lakers 6th Man -

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    ^Haha, I first read that as "Charles Barkley" and was not surprised in the least.

    It's worth noting Kareem did win Finals MVP in '85.
     
  11. thkthebest

    thkthebest Administrator Staff Member

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    I don't want to keep remaining on this topic, but Bill Livingston said that the original tally of votes had Kareem as the FMVP. CBS pressured them into changing the votes for Magic.
     
  12. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    ^Wow...

    On topic...Hibbert has a decent set of moves in the low post. I believe he's ambidextrous with a soft touch. I wonder how many plays they will run for him just to keep his focus on the court. Reward the big dog... Don't want him coming down with a case of DeAndre Jordan-itis.
     
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  13. XXIV

    XXIV - Rookie -

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    Well we know that Kobe is all for feeding the post as long as the big can score.
     
  14. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    He's got decent footwork and a couple moves, but he's certainly not a savant in that area. I'd give him one or two post touches if he got good position though. I'm always in favor of rewarding the guy who got great post position though. If Hibbert is deep in the paint and has his man sealed, give him the ball.
     
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  15. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    What is reassuring is that Hibbert dropped weight so he can keep up with the pace and play extended minutes.
     
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  16. bonk

    bonk - Rookie -

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    If memory serves he scored over 40 in that game with a ton of board and blocks. He was the leading scorer in the entire game AFTER he came back out of the locker room. He had a huge block and a facial dunk/3pt play on the Dr. that basically sealed the win for the Lakers right at the end as well.
     
  17. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    The word "savant" has had the mothballs dusted off and it will now be part of every day vocabulary. That is all.
     
  18. bonk

    bonk - Rookie -

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    Ha ha. I was sitting 50 feet away from him when he sprained his ankle. My uncle was a season ticket holder. Probably the best Laker moment in my life.

    Let's not open the can of worms that was the 84 finals however.... lowest point in my Laker existence.
     
  19. bonk

    bonk - Rookie -

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    I will be really interested to see if his mental approach is different with the "chance". He's always had a fairly full toolset for a big guy, at least by today's standards. It's the mental approach that needs a fresh start.
     
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  20. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    Yeah, Roy certainly has the tools to become an elite center on both ends of the court, it's up to him to really have a fresh mindset going in here, blank slate, and playing with a chip on his shoulder after all of the drama that unfolded a few years ago.

    Kobe can help bring that edge out of him. I know people always say players shouldn't play angry. In Roy's case, I think he just checked out instead of really playing with emotion. I want him to really get motivated and push himself to become a really good center.
     
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